Final answer:
The lacA gene product adds acetyl groups to lactose and other sugars. The correct answer is a) Acetyl. The enzyme transacetylase, encoded by the lacA gene, transfers these groups to ß-galactosidase in the process of lactose metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The product of the lacA gene adds acetyl groups to lactose and other sugars. Therefore, the correct answer is a) Acetyl. The lacA gene encodes an enzyme known as transacetylase, which is involved in the modification of certain sugars by transferring an acetyl group to them. For instance, the lacA gene product (transacetylase) attaches an acetyl group to the enzyme ß-galactosidase, rather than directly to lactose.
Lactose, which is a disaccharide formed by a glycosidic bond between glucose and galactose, can be broken down by the enzyme ß-galactosidase, which is the product of the lacZ gene. The lac operon, which includes the lacA gene, plays a critical role in the metabolism of lactose in bacteria, enabling the bacteria to utilize lactose as an energy source.